Pumping apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pumping apparatus for pumping concrete is disposed herein. The apparatus includes a hopper having a delivery line extending therefrom and a cylinder cooperating with the hopper to deliver concrete through the delivery line. A valve or tube has one end connected to the delivery line and an opposite end located adjacent the cylinder. The tube is movable between two positions so that concrete can be withdrawn from the hopper and then subsequently forced through the delivery line. The tube or valve has agitator means supported thereon and located adjacent the walls of the hopper to force the concrete down into the hopper and maintain the concrete and aggregate in a mixed condition.

United States Patent 1191 Taylor PUMPING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Eugene D. Taylor, Kenosha, Wis.

[73] Assignee: J. l. Case Company, Racine, Wis.

[22] Filed: Mar. 13, I974 2| Appl. No.1 45mm? Nov. 18, 1975 Prinulry E.\'uminerwilliam L. Freeh Assistant Examiner-G. P. LaPointe Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Drcssler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

{57] ABSTRACT A pumping apparatus for pumping concrete is disposed herein. The apparatus includes a hopper having a delivery line extending therefrom and a cylinder cooperating with the hopper to deliver concrete through the delivery line. A valve or tube has one end connected to the delivery line and an opposite end lo cated adjacent the cylinder. The tube is movable be tween two positions so that concrete can be withdrawn from the hopper and then subsequently forced through the delivery line. The tube or valve has agitator means supported thereon and located adjacent the walls of the hopper to force the concrete down into the hopper and maintain the concrete and aggregate in a mixed condition.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures U.S.- Patent Nov. 18, 1975 3,920,357

PUMPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inv'ention relates generally to pumps and more particularly to pumping apparatus for pumping fluent materials. such as concrete.

Various types of concrete pumps have been proposed for transporting concrete or a plastic mass through flexible conduits so that the material may be placed a substantial distance from the source. One type of unit that has found a remarkable degree of commercial success is a self-propelled type truck that has a eolapsible boom supported thereon so that the material may be pumped a substantial distance above the ground. This type of unit is shown in Schaible et al. U.Sv Pat. No. 3,707,990. issued Jan. 2, I973.

While this type of unit has been found to be very satisfactory for use by large building contractors, many small contractors cannot justify the large expenditure for purchasing such a unit.

Small concrete contractors that pour foundations for private homes or other small commercial establishments, do not have sufficient capital to purchase a unit of this type. Thus, these contractors still resort to the basic manual placement of the concrete from the truck through a chute that is manipulated by the operator. Such an arrangement is extremely cumbersome and in many instances requires a substantial amount of manual labor.

For example, in pouring a footing for a basement wall foundation, the driver of the truck must move the truck several times to different locations surrounding the ultimate basement foundation to be able to place the concrete at the desired locations. Many times, this is vertually impossible because of the mounds of dirt that are usually placed in close proximity when the basement opening is created. Furthermore, in many instances, the grounds surrounding the opening is very muddy which is some instance results in making it necessary for the concrete to be physically transported by wheelbarrows.

To satisfy this long felt need, quite recently a simple and inexpensive trailing type of concrete placer has.

been developed which can be sold at a fraction of the cost of the self-propelled type unit discussed above.

This type of unit is disclosed and claimed in application Scr. Nos. 398,203 (abandoned) and 399,l03 (US. Pat. No. 3.857328) filed Sept. l7, I973 and Sept. 20, I973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in the concrete placement unit shown in the above two applications, the portions of which are not inconsistent herewith, being incorporated herein by reference.

The pumping apparatus of the present invention includcs a hopper that has sidewalls and a bottom wall and receives a plastic mass. such as concrete. with a dilivery line extending from one end wall of the hopper and a cylinder having an open end in communication with the hopper through an opening in the opposite end wall. The cylinder has piston reciprocated therein which withdraws concrete from the hopper while moving in one direction and forces the concrete from the cylinder while moving in an opposite direction. .A tube or valve is located within the hopper and has one end 2 pivotally connected to the delivery line and the opposite end located adjacent the end wall having the cylinder in communication therewith. The tube is reciprocated between two positions which respectively place the cylinder in direct communication with the hopper and then in communication with the delivery line.

According to the present invention, the pumping apparatus incorporates agitating means carried by the tube or valve for continuously mixing the concrete, which usually includes aggregates, and also assuring that the concete is forced down in front of the cylinder opening in the hopper.

The agitating means is in the form of a plurality of blades that are connected to arms extending generally radially of the pivot axis for the tube at different locations. The blades are loc ated adjacent the sidewalls and bottom wall of the hopper. In the specific embodiment illustrated, one blade is located adjacent the bottom wall, a second blade is located adjacent one sidewall and the third blade is located adjacent the opposite sidewall. This insures that the concrete is constantly being mixed and is being movedtowards the cylinder opening as the tube is moved from one position to another position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows a side elevational view of the concrete pumping apparatus with the hopper being shown in fragmentary section;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view, as viewed along line 2.2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view, as viewed along i line 3-3 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing the valve in another position; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit for driving the moving parts of the pumping apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

FIG. I of the drawings generally discloses a pumping apparatus, designated by the reference numeral 10, for pumping a plastic fluent mass, such as concrete. Pumping apparatus consists of concrete receiving hopper 12 (FIG. 2) that has first and second sidewalls 14, a bot tom wall I6 and end walls I8. One of the end walls 18 has a coupling element 20 located therein, which defines the entry portion of a delivery line (not shown) for the pumping apparatus.

Concrete pumping apparatus also has a pump 22 which is connected to hopper I2 through an opening 24 (FIG. 4). Concrete pump 22 consists of a cylinder 26 having a piston 28 reciprocated therein between retracted and extended positions through a hydraulic ram (not shown).

Concrete pumping apparatus 10 also includes a shuttle valve or tube 30 that is located in the hopper and is adapted to selectively connect cylinder 26 to delivery line 20. Shuttle valve or tube 30 has one end or an outlet end connected to delivery line 20 through sleeve 34.

3 Sleeve 34 provides a coupling between the outlet end of tube 30 and delivery line while still allowing for rotational movement of the tube about the axis of delivery line 20. The opposite end of tube 30 is located adjacent the opposite end wall or front wall 18.

tube 30 is reciprocated between first and second positions, respectively shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, through suitable drive means which may take various forms. In the illustrated embodiment. drive means 36 consists of a fluid ram having its cylinder 38 pivotally supported on frame structure 40 which also supports hopper I2. Piston rod 42 is reciprocated within cylinder 38 and is pivotally connected to the outer end of an arm 44 which is connected to a shaft 46. Shaft 46 extends through a sleeve 48 in end wall I8 and has a further arm 50 secured therewith. The axis of shaft 46 is concentric with the axis of coupling 20 so that the center of arm 50 is concentric with the center of coupling 20. The outer end of arm 50 has the opposite end of valve or tube 30 secured thereto by bolts 52 extending through a flange 54 on the free end of tube 30.

With the above arrangement, extension of piston rod 42 with respect to cylinder 38 will move valve or tube 30 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 4 while retraction of the piston rod will return the tube to the first position shown in FIG. 2.

The concrete pumping apparatus so far described is generally shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 398,203 and has worked remarkably well. However, some minor difficulties have been encountered under some conditions For example, it has been found that the rapid movement of the tube or valve 30 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 4 may, in certain instances, create a small void adjacent the inlet to cylinder 28. This is particularly true when the concrete is in a highly viscous state. When this situation occurs, the pump cannot operate at the maximum effieiency.

Another problem that has been encountered is that the concrete that is usually pumped with a pumping apparatus of this type incorporates some aggregate or stones. It has been found that in many instances the stones will settle from the remaining portion of the material and remain adjacent the surface of the plastic mass, because of the viscosity of the concrete.

According to the present invention, both of the above problems are overcome by a simple agitating mechanism that can be attached to an existing machine without significant alterations. The agitating'mechanism or means is capable of mixing the plastic mass and at the same time prevents the formation of a void adjacent the cylinder inlet as the valve is moved from one position to the other. The agitating means is carried directly by the tube so that no additioal drive mechanism is required to agitate the plastic mass.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the agitating means includes a plurality of blades that are fixed to the tube or valve 30 and are positioned adjacent the walls of the hopper. More specifically, the agitating means incorporates first means located adjacent opposite sidewalls 14 for forcing the material towards the bottom wall l6 while mixing the material. Each first means 60 includes a blade 62 having brackets 64. 65 secured to opposite ends thereof. Brackets 64 adjacent one end of each blade 62 are secured to plates 66 by bolts 68. Plates 66 are secured to flanges 70.

Brackets 64, located at opposite ends of blades 62. are likewise secured to tube 30 at a position adjacent the end connected to coupling 34. The connection means in this end also includes a bracket 74 secured directly to tube 30, as by weldind, and bolts 76. As can be seen from an inspection of FIGS. 2 and 4, the respective agitating means 60 and more particularly the blades thereof are respectively positioned so as to extend generally horizontally in one of the two positions for the tube. For example, in FIG. 2, the right hand blade 62 extends substantially parallel to the upper end of hopper 12 while the left hand blade 62 is angularly related to the top of hopper l2 and is in close proximity to sidewall 14. In the second position, the positions of the two blades 62 are substantially reversed as shown in FIG. 4.

The agitating means also includes second means or scraper means located adjacent bottom wall 16 in close proximity to opening 24 to prevent the creation of a void adjacent opening 24 as tube 30 moves between first and second positions. As can be appreciated, rapid movement of tube 30 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 4 could create a small void adjacent inlet 24 to cylinder 26. Second means 80 insures that concrete or plastic mass is moved in line with opening 24 when the tube or valve changes positions. The second means again is most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and includes a blade or scraper arm 82 that has connecting means 84 and 85 at opposite ends thereof. Connecting means 84 is secured to a flange, forming part of bracket 86, by bolts 88. Bracket 86 may be secured to tube 30 by welding directly adjacent the end of tube 30.

Likewise, the opposite end connecting means 85 is secured directly to the tube 30 for movement therewith. In this situation, the bracket is bent to conform generally to the configuration of end wall 18 and is secured directly to bracket 65 intermediate opposite ends thereof.

With the above arrangement, movement of tube or valve 30 between the respective positions will simultaneously force the heavy plastic mass downwardly along respective sidewalls 14 and will move the plastic mass towards opening 24 from adjacent the bottom wall thereof.

It has been found that the agitating means increases the efficiency of the pumping apparatus or machine and also maintains the substantially consistent mixture of aggregate and other material that is being pumped.

It has also been found that, in certain instances, It may be desirable to continue the agitating process while the pumping operation is interrupted. For example, if the material remains in a static condition within hopper for any period of time. the concrete may harden sufficiently to prevent resumption of the pumping operation.

Thus, according to another aspect of the invention, the drive means for the fluid rams incorporates circuit means that is capable of interrupting the motion of piston 28 while continuing the motion of valve or tube 30. The circuit means for performing this function is shown in FIG. 5 and includes a first solenoid operated valve I00 for supplying fluid to opposite ends of cylinder 38 and a second solenoid operated valve I02 for supplying fluid to the opposite ends of the fluid ram associated with piston 28. The solenoids at opposite ends of the respective valves and 102 are alternately energized by an electric circuit which includes a power source 104 leading to a switch I06 that is normally in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein branch circuit I08 is energized is energized to supply power to switch contacts 110. Switch contacts ll0 are mechanically moved simultaneously by switches 112 (only one being shown in FIG. 1) respectively located at opposite ends of cylinder 26. in one condition, for example such as illustrated, one end of valve 100 and 102 are energized and, when piston 28 reaches an extreme position of movement, one switch contact 110 is opened while the second switch contact is closed to reverse the cycle of operation for both piston 28 and piston rod 42. Thus, at the end of each stroke of movement for piston 28, the cycle is reversed and valve 30 is automatically moved from one position to the other.

The electric circuit also incorporates switch means 116 for interrupting the power supply to valve 102 while continuing the cycling of fluid ram 36. This is accomplished by a timer 118 located in a branch circuit 120 parallel to branch circuit 108 and set to mechanically move switch arms 110 to continue the cycling operation after switch means 116 has been opened. Switch means 116 and switch 106 could readily be a single triple pole switch suitably wired into the electric circuit. Thus, as switch means 116 is opened, switch 106 is automatically moved to its second position to energize timer 118 and continue the cycling of tube 30 while interrupting the motion of postion 28.

While one specific circuit has been shown and described, it will readily be appreciated that numerous alternate types of circuits could by utilized for performing the same function.

Also, the concrete placement apparatus could likewise incorporate two pumps identical to pump 22 with the second pump being positioned to be connected to tube 30 when the tube is in the position shown in FIG. 4. This arangement would allow continuous pumping utilizing alternate pumps 22 for continuously supplying concrete to delivery line 20.

What is claimed is:

1. Pumping apparatus comprising: a hopper having a bottom wall and side walls for receiving a plastic mass, a delivery line extending from said hopper, a pump cylinder having one end in communication with said hopper, said cylinder having a piston reciprocated therein, pummp drive means for moving said piston in one direction to withdraw said plastic mass from said hopper into said cylinder and in an opposite direction to force said plastic mass from said cylinder, a valve in said hopper, said valve having one open end connected to said delivery line and an opposite open end, moving means connected to said valve for reciprocating said valve between two positions, said valve connecting said cylinder to said delivery line in one position and placing said cylinder in communication with said hopper in the other position, and agitating mechanism movable with said valve for agitating the plastic mass, said agitating 6 mechanism including blade means spaced from said bottom wall and positioned at locations adjacent an opposed pair of said side walls and adjacent an upper edge of said hopper for agitating said plastic mass.

2. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said cylinder is in communication with said hopper adjacent said bottom wall and in which said agitating mechanism carried by said valve includes a scraper arm secured to said valve and spaced therefrom, said scraper arm being located adjacent the bottom wall for moving said plastic mass relative to said bottom wall as said valve is moved between positions.

3. Pumping apparatus comprising: a hopper having a bottom wall and side walls for receiving a plastic mass, a delivery line extending from said hopper, a pump cylinder having one end in communication with said hopper, said cylinder having a piston reciprocated therein, pump drive means for moving said piston in one direction to withdraw said plastic mass from said hopper into said cylinder and in an opposite direction to force said plastic mass from said cylinder, a valve in said hopper, said valve having one open end connected to said delivery line and an opposite open end, moving means connected to said valve for reciprocating said valve between two positions, said valve connecting said cylinder to said delivery line in one position and placing said cylinder in communication with said hopper in the other position, and agitating mechanism carried by said valve and movable therewith for agitating the plastic mass and said valve is moved between said positions, said agitating mechanism including a blade secured to said valve and positioned at a location adjacent one of said side walls, said blade being adapted for agitating said plastic mass adjacent an upper edge of said hopper.

4. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which said agitating mechanism carried by said valve includes a second blade secured to said valve and positioned adjacent the other of said sidewalls, said second blade being adapted for agitating said plastic mass as said valve is moved between positions.

5. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including circuit means cooperating with said drive means for said piston and said moving means forreversing the position of said valve as said piston reaches extreme positions and means in said circuit means for continuing reversal of the position of said drive means while interrupting the motion of said piston.

6. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which said agitating mechanism includes a scraper arm secured to said valve and spaced therefrom, said scraper arm being located adjacent said bottom wall for moving said plastic mass relative to said bottom wall as said valve is moved between said positions. 

1. Pumping apparatus comprising: a hopper having a bottom wall and side walls for receiving a plastic mass, a delivery line extending from said hopper, a pump cylinder having one end in communication with said hopper, said cylinder having a piston reciprocated therein, pummp drive means for moving said piston in one direction to withdraw said plastic mass from said hopper into said cylinder and in an opposite direction to force said plastic mass from said cylinder, a valve in said hopper, said valve having one open end connected to said delivery line and an opposite open end, moving means connected to said valve for reciprocating said valve between two positions, said valve connecting said cylinder to said delivery line in one position and placing said cylinder in communication with said hopper in the other position, and agitating mechanism movable with said valve for agitating the plastic mass, said agitating mechanism including blade means spaced from said bottom wall and positioned at locations adjacent an opposed pair of said side walls and adjacent an upper edge of said hopper for agitating said plastic mass.
 2. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said cylinder is in communication with said hopper adjacent said bottom wall and in which said agitating mechanism carried by said valve includes a scraper arm secured to said valve and spaced therefrom, said scraper arm being located adjacent the bottom wall for moving said plastic mass relative to said bottom wall as said valve is moved between positions.
 3. Pumping apparatus comprising: a hopper having a bottom wall and side walls for receiving a plastic mass, a delivery line extending from said hopper, a pump cylinder having one end in communication with said hopper, said cylinder having a piston reciprocated therein, pump drive means for moving said piston in one direction to withdraw said plastic mass from said hopper into said cylinder and in an opposite direction to force said plastic mass from said cylinder, a valve in said hopper, said valve having one open end connected to said delivery line and an opposite open end, moving means connected to said valve for reciprocating said valve between two positions, said valve connecting said cylinder to said delivery line in one position and placing said cylinder in communication with said hopper in the other position, and agitating mechanism carried by said valve and movable therewith for agitating the plastic mass and said valve is moved between said positions, said agitating mechanism including a blade secured to said valve and positioned at a location adjacent one of said side walls, said blade being adapted for agitating said plastic mass adjacent an upper edge of said hopper.
 4. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which said agitating mechanism carried by said valve includes a second blade secured to said valve and positioned adjacent the other of said sidewalls, said second blade being adapted for agitating said plastic mass as said valve is moved between positions.
 5. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including circuit means cooperating with said drive means for said piston and said moving means forreversing the position of said valve as said piston reaches extreme positions and means in said circuit means foR continuing reversal of the position of said drive means while interrupting the motion of said piston.
 6. Pumping apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which said agitating mechanism includes a scraper arm secured to said valve and spaced therefrom, said scraper arm being located adjacent said bottom wall for moving said plastic mass relative to said bottom wall as said valve is moved between said positions. 